Traveling with a Dragonkin and a Dwarven Vampyre, proved far too draining on Aisrins tolerance. But, after a week of travel, the trio stood before the gates of Fargo. It was nuzzled in the side of a mountain, ramparts and seige weapons lined the tall stone walls. A large iron gate was the of way in and out of the Capital. It was huge, to say the least. If Aisrin had to compare it, it was the same size as three Chicago Cities together.
"Finally. Now, remember you two, my name is Sin... please for the love of all that is holy, remember at least that much." Aisrin pleaded.
"You worry too much." Regina dismissed.
"I agree. I'm a dragon, we're known for our exquisite memory." Syphir proudly stated.
"Both of you are throwing huge red flags all over the place right now. Hah. I'm doomed." Aisrin sighed. The one thing he learned while traveling with the two girls, was that though they were capable in fights, both were dull when it came to common sense.
Aisrin and the girls walked up to the gates, a short line waited before the gates. A group of eight soldiers guarded, and two checked the PSI's of each person.
"Welcome to Fargo, the last free kingdom in Mortas." The two soldiers would repeat after clearing each person.
Once again, Aisrin showed his, and he passed through unabated. As did Regina. Syphir, being Dragonkin, didn't have a PSI, so she had to be taken to the cathedral. Aisrin and Regina waited for her for around three hours.
"Wonderful start already." Aisrin said sarcastically.
"You brought her along." Regina responded acusingly. After the three hours had passed, Syphir returned and the trio went to find the Guild. It did take a very long time to find, it wasn't the largest building, compared to the cathedral, and it was located in the dead center of the city.
Upon entering, they were greeted by what Aisrin compared to a bank reception area with a tavern built inside of it.
"Hello! How can I help you?" A young receptionist beckoned the three over. She was small in stature and in build.
"I'm here to register. What's the process?" Aisrin asked. He had already set his Job to Magician and his Path to Adventurer prior to entering Fargo.
"Oh that's great! Well, I'll need to register your PSI, with your level, name and experiences. Then you place your hand on this scroll, and it'll record mana capacity and skills. Then we'll move on to the affinity stones to Guage the power and proficiency of each type of magic.
This is to Guage your potential as an Adventurer. There are rules, all jewelries and enchantable items must be removed from your person before registering, otherwise you'll be denied. After you've done all of that, you'll participate in the practical screening test to best understand where you would best fit in and we will put you up for recruitment. Would you like to start?" Rhe receptionist explained in beautiful detail.
Aisrin hesitated, only because he didn't want his full level to be seen, but, he also wanted to keep his promise to Abrahm, so he reluctantly agreed and took off all of his enchanted items and proceeded to do the process. Starting with the usual registering of his PSI. Upon seeing the PSI, the receptionist widened her eyes, but said nothing.
He then picked up the scroll, and it flashed white. The receptionist took it and opened it up. Her face turned white and Aisrin sighed, whatever was gonna happen, he knew would spell troublesome.
"How do you have almost four hundred thousand on Mana, over fifty skills, and nearly four hundred for a level at such a young age?'" The reception exclaimed loud enough for everyone to hear. And hear it they did. All eyes were on Aisrin, getting good and bad attention from all types of people.
"Its been a rough life." Aisrin responded.
"My apologies, it's just unusual to see that level outside of the more superior races. If you were Dragonkin or a Celestial half breed... maybe even Elvish, I could understand. But being half human half demon? Unheard of! Sorry, that sounded rude... let's move on to the stones. We have the elemental stone, the dark stone, the holy stone, the psychic stone, the enhancement stone, and the newest, is unattributed. Though it says unattributed, it just lights up if you have any magic not listed in the previous five. These stones differ from their predecessors which showed all at once. These, show each color individually, and gage each affinity by the intensity of the colors light. So, if you would please." The receptionist was growing on Aisrin, only because of her attention to detail and thorough explanations.
Aisrin picked up the smooth, small grey elemental stone and poured magic into it. The first color to show was Red and the intensity was fierce. Next came purple, once again, fiercely intense. Followed by intense blue, green then finally yellow.
The receptionist just recorded, and Aisrin continued down the line. All intense dark attributes, zero holy attributes, three intense psychic attributes, two intense enhancements and finally the brightest white of unattributed.
"I guess your Job of Magician isn't just for show. I'll have this passed onto the practical instructor then. So, until then, please wait around the corner there. You'll see the signs for examinees, just follow them until you see a group of others. You two, if I could have you wait for a bit..." The receptionist guided Aisrin over until he saw a corridor with 'EXAMINEES THIS WAY!' signs posted every few feet.
He thanked the girl and followed the signs as he was directed. All the way until he was in a room with fifteen other people, all standing around like they were hot shit. Most of them only teens, or new adults.
'I'd have been them, six years ago if I made it here faster.'
Aisrin stood off to the side, patiently. It wasn't long before the only door in the room opened up, and a middle aged burly man covered in scars, sporting a greyed goatee and medium length graying black hair, stepped in.
"I am Agustus H. Odenstien... Not that it matters... come on." Aisrin recognized a fellow soldier when he saw one. And this man, was a seasoned veteran. His lifeless yet constantly alert gaze, the stance of someone ready to fight at any given notice, careless and bored tone of voice, and the air of respect.
This man... was a sleeping beast. And everyone in the room felt it. His lifeless and alert gaze felt as if he was practically downloading all the information of each examinee.
The group followed behind Agustus out into a courtyard.
"There will be a series of tests. The first, is plain old weapons testing. Choose your proficient weapon of choice, and demonstrate against that magi-dummy. It's set at intermediate difficulty, since the increase in monster and magical beast activity has caused many a death to rookies like you." Agustus pointed to a bronze automaton standing in the middle of the courtyard and explained.
"The second, will be magic testing. You'll fire off you spell of choice at those targets. These don't do anything except sit there. The goal is to hit them, so I can judge your mana control.
The third, is all about ingenuity. Teamwork. Whatever it is that you are good at that adds a little bit more value to yourselves. Because once your done here, and you've been evaluated you go up for recruitment. Where all the guilds, big or small, come to, hopefully, offer you a position. If you are new here.... hah... welcome to the Adventuring City of Fargo... I fucking hate this job. Just fucking start." Agustus gave up at the end, and Aisrin never felt more intune with another person than he did at that moment.
'I feel that last part on a spiritual level.'
The others were waiting for that and they a drew various weapons ranging from bows and swords to spears and even a whip.
A bold young lad with blonde hair and a leather vest with some regular black pants and boots, sporting a long sword, walked cockily to the automaton.
As soon as he reached about ten feet from the magical device, it whirled into action, instantly attacking the bold lad. It certainly caught him off guard, and he could only defend for around two minutes before he was swatted back to the group. Landing solidly on his back.
Aisrin sighed and drew his hand and a half sword.
"Confidence is great... in moderation." Aisrin stated simply as he passed the group of new adults and approached the Automaton. Just like before, at ten feet, it jumped into action and launched at Aisrin, but this time, it was way faster.
'Must be a little higher on difficulty.'
The Automaton attacked like a frenzied beast. Unpredictable, and powerful. Each attack hit as hard as a bullet. Still, Aisrin kept up. Blocking each attack swiftly, efficiently, and easily. After two minutes had passed, Aisrin switch to offense. One attack, sliced right through the automaton.
This served as both a lesson and a warning to the younger generation. Confidence... is great in moderation... and there's always someone/something stronger.